The Defense of the Sampo
Painting by Akseli Gallen-Kallela / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Defense of the Sampo (Finnish: Sammon puolustus) is a tempera-on-canvas Romantic national painting created in 1896 by Finnish painter Akseli Gallen-Kallela. The painting illustrates a passage from the Kalevala, the Finnish national epic compiled by Elias Lönnrot in the 19th century.
Quick Facts The Defense of the Sampo, Artist ...
The Defense of the Sampo | |
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Artist | Akseli Gallen-Kallela |
Year | 1896 |
Medium | Tempera |
Dimensions | 122 cm × 125 cm (48 in × 49 in) |
Location | Turku Art Museum, Turku |
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The scene portrayed is taken from the 43rd song of the epic, where the hero Väinämöinen, seen wielding a sword, has stolen the precious artifact Sampo from the evil witch Louhi, and she, having taken the form of a giant bird, is trying to reclaim it. The battle for the Sampo is also given a deeper connotation as a battle for the soul of Finland.[1]